Discovering the Real Jesus (part 6 of 6): Conclusion

Description: Conclusion and how to truly discover the true Jesus.By I. DamielPublished on 04 Aug 2008 - Last modified on 04 Aug 2008Category: Articles >Comparative Religion > Jesus

From the aforementioned discussion, another question arises. How can we trust Markin everything that he presents about Jesus as historically accurate? It is commonknowledge that the present day gospels were not written by Jesus nor at his dictation. The earliest gospel Mark was written around 65-70 AD. So there is a time gap betweenJesus' ascension and the first gospel, a gap of about 35-40 years.

As stated earlier, Mark was not an eyewitness to the life of Jesus, nor do we have clearrecords showing that the early church memorized the sayings of Jesus. Therefore thisgap has to be viewed as considerable. During this time, the traditions of Jesus were beingshaped and developed, with many different versions of the gospels being circulated in thedifferent communities.

Furthermore, it is important to stress that the gospel writers were not merelyrecorders of tradition. Like the other gospel writers, Mark also edited his material. Healso worked upon and reshaped the traditions that he used. Like the rest of the writers,he also was not attempting to produce a historically accurate biography of Jesus. Theirconcern was to present material which best served their church and reflected theirunderstanding of Jesus rather than Jesus' own self-understanding. In reconstructing theteaching and actions of Jesus, it is possible to take account of the modificationsintroduced by the later gospel writers. But the period between Jesus and the emergenceof the written gospels is far more problematic.

Therefore, in attempting to discover the real historical Jesus, we will have to peel backthe layers behind all of the stories that were later developed about Jesus. We have to findout who Jesus was, before the gospels were written about him. When we study thegospels, we see stories of Jesus evolving over time such that the personality of Jesusgrows bigger and better. Jesus is shown to be more knowledgeable and more powerfulover time, until finally after many councils and disputes, he is officially proclaimed as Godin the council of Nicea in the year 325 C.E. Over the course of time, Jesus wastransformed from a Jewish carpenter and Messenger of God to the second person in theholy trinity. From what he was to something he would never agree with.

Yet all is not at lost. Even today, if someone wanted to know the real historical Jesus,then they can do so. God in His infinite Mercy, has once more sent a Messenger with apristine message, a message that was not contaminated nor tampered with.

In this final message, God tells us that Jesus was a man and a mighty messenger sentby Him, that Jesus performed miracles by God's leave, that he was born of a virgin birth

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and that he would return towards the end of time.In the Qur'an, God instructs the Christians:

"O People of the Book! Do not exceed the limits in your religion: norsay of Allah aught but the truth. The Messiah Jesus, the son of Mary,was (no more than) a Messenger of Allah and His Word which Hebestowed on Mary, and a spirit created by Him; so believe in Allahand His Messengers. Say not:"Three!" Cease! it is better for you. For Allah is One God, Glory be Him (Far Exalted is He) above havinga son. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is inthe earth. And Allah is All-Sufficient as a Disposer of affairs."(Quran 4:171)

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